PREFACE. IN compiling the following pages great care has been taken to verify as far as possible, both in Paris and in England, the historical data therein contained. Those persons who knew the Prince. Imperial, and who have kindly contributed their quota of information in reference to his brief life, have one and all borne testimony to the exceeding sweetness of his disposition, as well as to the powers of mind and talents which he possessed. Being. desirous of drawing a faithful portraiture of the Prince, and not wishing to take an exaggerated view of his character, I have repeatedly asked. both his Instructors and others honoured by his acquaintance, "Have you no faults to record.. which would in some measure balance such unqualified praise ?" In no single instance, how-. ever, has anything save what was good and noble of him fallen on my ear. The various anecdotes of the Prince's childhood have been gathered in Paris from those who knew him or watched his growth during the first fourteen years of his life. I am indebted to the Prince's military instructors, Professor Crofton, F.R.S., Captain Edgar Kensington, R.A., the Rev. James White, M.A., of the Military College at Cowley, Oxford, and other gentlemen for the record of the Prince's studies while at Woolwich. The history of the Empress's Regency in 1870 will be found in the official records of that year in the National Library at Paris. Mr. Blanchard Jerrold's interesting Life of Napoleon III. has furnished the sketch of the Emperor's life, whilst that of Zululand is drawn from Captain Lucas's - work, "Zululand and the British Frontiers." The ..tragic story of the Prince's death last year, which will be still fresh in my readers' memory, can be authenticated through the English press as well as the military official documents of 1879. I desire to tender my sincere thanks to the various friends both English and French who have assisted me in the compilation of this volume. ELLEN BARLEE. |